LEE O’BRIEN FROM RHOSTYLLEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN WREXHAM
| Red Rose Database
Rhostyllen Child Sexual Abuser
In December 2020, a disturbing case of sexual abuse involving a care worker from Rhostyllen has culminated in a significant prison sentence. Lee O’Brien, aged 47, was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy under his care and was subsequently sentenced to ten years in prison. The incident took place in an isolated cottage, where O’Brien exploited his position of trust to commit these heinous acts.
According to court proceedings, O’Brien had deliberately given the young victim alcohol, a minor who was under the age of 16, with the intent of lowering his inhibitions. The following day, O’Brien attempted to conceal the evidence of alcohol consumption by trying to mask the smell on the boy’s breath. The court heard that O’Brien’s actions were premeditated and carried out in a secluded rural setting, away from the oversight of others.
The prosecution detailed how the boy’s parents, overwhelmed and unable to cope with his needs, had placed him in voluntary care. It was during this placement that O’Brien, who resided on Henblas Road in Rhostyllen, Wrexham, took advantage of the situation. The judge described the case as “as clear a case of abuse of trust as you can imagine,” emphasizing the severity of the betrayal involved.
The court was told that O’Brien took the boy on a short break with other residents before transporting him to the remote cottage. There, he administered alcohol and a tablet of unspecified nature to the young victim. Over the course of the visit, O’Brien engaged in various sexual acts with the boy, who cannot be named to protect his identity. The following day, O’Brien took measures to hide the evidence of alcohol on the boy’s breath and behaved as if nothing had occurred, further demonstrating his attempt to cover up the abuse.
The judge, Recorder Mr. Simon Mills, condemned O’Brien’s actions, stating that he was “in your care at that cottage and at your mercy.” The court also heard that O’Brien had carried out these acts with malicious intent, including attempted sexual assault by penetration, which resulted in a ten-year prison sentence. Additionally, he received concurrent sentences of eight years for inciting or causing a person to engage in sexual activity, four years for sexual activity with a child, and six months for possession of indecent photographs of a child.
O’Brien’s defense team highlighted the personal repercussions he now faces, including a loss of reputation and embarrassment. Nonetheless, the court imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to prevent any future offenses. This case underscores the grave breach of trust and the devastating impact of such abuse, with the court making it clear that justice has been served for the young victim and the community at large.
According to court proceedings, O’Brien had deliberately given the young victim alcohol, a minor who was under the age of 16, with the intent of lowering his inhibitions. The following day, O’Brien attempted to conceal the evidence of alcohol consumption by trying to mask the smell on the boy’s breath. The court heard that O’Brien’s actions were premeditated and carried out in a secluded rural setting, away from the oversight of others.
The prosecution detailed how the boy’s parents, overwhelmed and unable to cope with his needs, had placed him in voluntary care. It was during this placement that O’Brien, who resided on Henblas Road in Rhostyllen, Wrexham, took advantage of the situation. The judge described the case as “as clear a case of abuse of trust as you can imagine,” emphasizing the severity of the betrayal involved.
The court was told that O’Brien took the boy on a short break with other residents before transporting him to the remote cottage. There, he administered alcohol and a tablet of unspecified nature to the young victim. Over the course of the visit, O’Brien engaged in various sexual acts with the boy, who cannot be named to protect his identity. The following day, O’Brien took measures to hide the evidence of alcohol on the boy’s breath and behaved as if nothing had occurred, further demonstrating his attempt to cover up the abuse.
The judge, Recorder Mr. Simon Mills, condemned O’Brien’s actions, stating that he was “in your care at that cottage and at your mercy.” The court also heard that O’Brien had carried out these acts with malicious intent, including attempted sexual assault by penetration, which resulted in a ten-year prison sentence. Additionally, he received concurrent sentences of eight years for inciting or causing a person to engage in sexual activity, four years for sexual activity with a child, and six months for possession of indecent photographs of a child.
O’Brien’s defense team highlighted the personal repercussions he now faces, including a loss of reputation and embarrassment. Nonetheless, the court imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to prevent any future offenses. This case underscores the grave breach of trust and the devastating impact of such abuse, with the court making it clear that justice has been served for the young victim and the community at large.